Pages

Sunday, 28 September 2014

Due Service (Flash! Friday)

Shi stands, black clad, before the water’s chill. Bronze has crossed the coin-eyed’s palm to
dive their depths already – servitude now due.
It is hers to perform; the nine time circle into pain’s swamp, past drowsy
oblivion; beyond fire and wailing. Hers
to see that he drinks of the infernal rivers; brackish and brine filled, pre
return; cup filled to the brim. He will
choke at their taste; a spilled splutter.
It will be enough, even so. Pitch
unremitting at the epicentre, repetition will suffice to see them to the
surface, though the journey is longer in the making now, each time. He will not remember the struggle; scarce
still Shi’s name when waking, coughing, atop solid rock. He will not know the cost for his return; the
price paid to swim within the realms. He
will not recall the salt sodden tears shed into his glass. He will never know she exchanged a portion of
her life for his.

Comment

A second piece for this week's Flash! Friday, given I had another idea after writing the first story and couldn't resist writing the second one down. Think there's a longer story in this one too...